Ugly, but Lions will take it

DETROIT -- It was an ugly game, perhaps fittingly for two teams that combined for a 13-game losing streak.

The Detroit Lions, though, are not in the position to get picky.

T.J. Duckett ran for a season-high 102 yards and a touchdown, helping Detroit hold on for a 25-20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and snap a six-game losing streak.

Detroit had a 19-point lead in the first half, but the victory wasn't sealed until Chiefs receiver Samie Parker went down on his own at the Lions' 30 after getting a lateral with no time left.

"A win like this, you've got to take it," Lions center Dominic Raiola said. "But it wasn't pretty."

The Lions (7-8) surpassed the most victories they've had in seven seasons under team president Matt Millen. Detroit also guaranteed it won't be the first NFL team to finish 6-10 after winning six of its first eight games.

"We missed out on a lot of opportunities," defensive tackle Cory Redding said. "But the one thing we said we were going to do is fight. Seven wins is 4 more than we had last year, but it's not good enough."

Kansas City (4-11) has dropped eight straight, the franchise's worst skid since losing nine in a row in 1987.

The latest loss followed a 26-17 setback at home to Tennessee after giving up the final 13 points.

Detroit led 19-0 early in the second quarter before Kansas City suddenly showed a pulse when quarterback Brodie Croyle was injured and replaced by Damon Huard.

Playing for the first time since Week 11, Huard efficiently led 80- and 77-yard drives toward the end of the first half to pull the Chiefs within 5 points.

Huard's 34-yard pass -- on a rope -- to Dwayne Bowe in the end zone converted a fourth down and made it 22-20 early in the fourth. It snapped a six-game scoreless streak in the fourth quarter. The 2-point conversion failed.

Then, the Lions struggled to put Kansas City away.

After Jason Hanson kicked his third field goal with 43 seconds left, the Chiefs got the ball back one more time with a chance to score a go-ahead TD.

Kansas City's final drive started at its 17 with 39 seconds left, and Parker ended any chance for a remarkable game-ending play by going to the turf with no time on the clock.

Duckett filled in well for Kevin Jones after he was sidelined with a right knee injury late in the first half, adding to the injury woes that have plagued his career.

"It's pretty serious," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said.

Detroit's Jon Kitna threw just 16 passes for 115 yards and an interception.